Structure mounted airbag assemblies and associated systems and methods

ABSTRACT

Structure mounted airbag assemblies and associated systems and methods are described herein. An airbag system configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure can include, for example, a housing having a cavity and an opening in communication with the cavity, an airbag assembly within the cavity, and an inflator operably coupled to the airbag assembly. The airbag assembly can include an airbag configured to deploy through the opening of the housing during a crash event. The airbag system can further include a door removably positioned across the opening and configured to move away from the opening during airbag deployment. The housing can be affixed to an interior portion of an aircraft, forward of and offset from an aircraft seat.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The following disclosure relates generally to vehicle safety systems,and more specifically to structure mounted airbag assemblies foraircraft and associated systems and methods.

BACKGROUND

Various types of seat belt and airbag systems have been used to protectpassengers in automobiles, aircraft and other vehicles. In automobiles,for example, airbags typically deploy from the steering column,dashboard, side panel, and/or other fixed locations. During a rapiddeceleration event (e.g., a collision), a sensor detects the event andtransmits a corresponding signal to an initiation device (e.g., apyrotechnic device) on an airbag inflator. This causes the inflator torelease compressed gas into the airbag, thereby rapidly inflating theairbag.

Although airbags that deploy from stationary locations (e.g., a steeringcolumn) may be effective in automobiles, they may not be as effective inother types of vehicles having other seating arrangements. Seats incommercial passenger aircraft, for example, can be configured in avariety of layouts that provide different spacing between succeedingrows and adjacent seats. The aircraft seatbacks may also rotate forwardand downward during a crash or similar event, and thus may be unsuitablefor airbag storage. As a result, airbags have been developed that deployfrom seat belts to accommodate occupants in aircraft and other vehicles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top isometric view of a seating area in a vehicle having aseat provided with an airbag housing and related systems configured inaccordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2A is a partially schematic isometric view of an interior portionof a structure mounted airbag system configured in accordance with anembodiment of the disclosure.

FIGS. 2B and 2C are enlarged front and back isometric views,respectively, of a structure mountable airbag assembly configured inaccordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2D is front view of the structure mountable airbag assembly ofFIGS. 2B and 2C during an intermediate assembly stage in accordance withan embodiment of the disclosure.

FIGS. 3A-3E are a series of views illustrating deployment of a structuremounted airbag system in accordance with an embodiment of thedisclosure.

FIGS. 4A-4C are a series of views illustrating various structure mountedairbags configured in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure describes structure mounted air bag assembliesfor use in, e.g., aircraft and associated systems and methods. Inseveral embodiments, for example, a structure mounted airbag system in acommercial aircraft can include a housing positioned forward of andoffset from a passenger seat. The housing can contain an airbag mountedbehind a covered opening. During a crash or rapid deceleration event,the airbag can deploy through the opening toward the seat to reduce theimpact experienced by the occupant. Since the structure mounted airbagsystem is offset from the vehicle seat, the airbag deploys in a mannerthat avoids direct contact with out-of-position seat occupants, such asoccupants in the brace position (i.e., occupants with their head betweentheir knees) and small children (e.g., children seated in a child seator lap-held children). As used herein, the terms “structure mounted” and“structure mountable” refer to features that are or can be mounted to asubstantially fixed structure (e.g., a wall, divider, or a fixed pieceof furniture) rather than to a movable feature (e.g., a seat belt, acommercial aircraft seat back, etc.).

Certain details are set forth in the following description and in FIGS.1-4C to provide a thorough understanding of various embodiments of thedisclosure. For example, several embodiments of structure mounted airbagsystems are described below in the context of commercial passengeraircraft. However, the structure mounted airbag systems and aspectsthereof disclosed herein may be used in a wide variety of othervehicles, including other aircraft (e.g., private and militaryaircraft), ground vehicles (e.g., automobiles, trucks, buses, trains,and motor homes), watercraft, etc. Other details describing well-knownstructures and systems often associated with airbags, circuitry,restraint systems, etc., have not been set forth below to avoidunnecessarily obscuring the description of the various embodiments ofthe disclosure.

Many of the details, dimensions, angles and other features shown inFIGS. 1-4C are merely illustrative of particular embodiments of thedisclosure. Accordingly, other embodiments can include other details,dimensions, angles and features without departing from the spirit orscope of the present invention. In addition, those of ordinary skill inthe art will appreciate that further embodiments of the structuremounted airbag systems can be practiced without several of the detailsdescribed below.

In the Figures, identical reference numbers identify identical or atleast generally similar elements. To facilitate the discussion of anyparticular element, the most significant digit or digits of anyreference number refers to the Figure in which that element is firstintroduced. For example, element 110 is first introduced and discussedwith reference to FIG. 1.

FIG. 1 is a top isometric view of a seating area in an aircraft havingone or more seats 102 provided with a structure mounted airbag system100 (“airbag system 100”) configured in accordance with an embodiment ofthe disclosure. In one aspect of the illustrated embodiment, the seats102 can be at least generally similar to conventional seats in, forexample, a first or business class cabin of a commercial passengeraircraft. Accordingly, each seat 102 can include a back portion 104extending upwardly from a seat portion 106 fixedly mounted to the floorof the aircraft. The seats 102 can each include a two-point restraint orseat belt 110 (e.g., a lap belt) having a first web portion 112 a and acorresponding second web portion 112 b. A proximal end portion of thefirst web portion 112 a can be fixedly attached to the seat mountingstructure on one side of the seat 102 by means of a hook or othersuitable device known in the art, and the proximal end portion of thesecond web portion 112 b can be similarly attached to the seat mountingstructure on the opposite side of the seat 102. The distal end portionof the first web portion 112 a can carry a connector 114 having a tongueportion, and the distal end portion of the second web portion 112 b cancarry a corresponding buckle 116 configured to receive and releasablyengage the tongue portion of the connector 114 to couple the two webportions 112 a, 112 b together around a seat occupant in a conventionalmanner.

In one aspect of the illustrated embodiment, the airbag system 100includes an enclosure or housing 120 fixedly attached to the floor ofthe vehicle forward of the seat 102 and offset to one side of the seat102. The housing 120 can be positioned to the outside of the seat 102proximate to the aisle of the aircraft and apart from the window and/orother inwardly positioned structure (e.g., a divider wall) as shown inFIG. 1. In other embodiments, the housing 120 can be positionedproximate to the window, between individual seats 102 in a row, and/orotherwise positioned forward of the seat 102. As described in greaterdetail below, an airbag (not shown) can be stored in the housing 120 anddeployed through an opening in the housing 120 toward the seat 102during a rapid deceleration or other crash event to lessen the crashimpact experienced by the seat occupant. The airbag system 100 canprotect the passenger's head during forward rotation about the two-pointseat belt 110, and the offset positioning of the housing 120 can alsoprovide sufficient space around the seat 102 for the passenger to moveto a brace position (i.e., with the passenger's head between his or herknees) and avoid impacting the airbag as it deploys. Additionally, thehousing 120 can serve to hide the airbag from view of the seat occupantto provide an aesthetically pleasing seating environment.

FIG. 2A is a partially schematic isometric view of an interior portionof the airbag housing 120 of FIG. 1 configured in accordance with anembodiment of the disclosure. In the illustrated embodiment, the housing120 includes a plurality of sidewalls 238 extending upwardly from amounting structure 222 to form a cavity 224 (one sidewall 238 is removedto show the interior of the housing 120). At least one of the sidewalls238 (e.g., the sidewall 238 facing the corresponding aircraft seat) caninclude an aperture or opening 226 in communication with the internalcavity 224. A structure mounted airbag assembly 228 (“airbag assembly228”) is positioned in the cavity 224 in line with the opening 226 suchthat the corresponding airbag (not shown) can deploy through the opening226 during airbag inflation. For clarity, the airbag assembly 228 isshown spaced behind the opening 226, but the airbag assembly 228 can bemounted directly adjacent the opening 226 and against the correspondingsidewall 238 via screws, mounting plates, and/or other suitableattachment features. In other embodiments, the airbag assembly 228 canbe positioned in other suitable locations within the cavity 224 thatallow the airbag to deploy through the opening 226 or a differentopening in another suitable location.

The housing 120 can be a separate or independent structural assemblythat can be fixedly attached to a portion of the aircraft interior viathe mounting structure 222 and inhibit passengers from accessing theairbag assembly 228 and/or associated components stored within thehousing 120 (e.g., to inhibit inadvertent airbag deployment). Thehousing 120 can be made from a durable composite material and/or othersuitable materials for storing the components of the airbag system 100(e.g., the airbag assembly 228) to reduce the likelihood ofunintentional airbag deployment (e.g., due to passenger wear and tear onthe housing 120). In certain embodiments, the housing 120 can also serveas a partial divider between aircraft seats 102 (FIG. 1) and/or a tablefor seat occupants. A portion of the cavity 224 can also be used asstorage for the seat occupant's belongings, for additional safetyequipment (e.g., life vests), and/or for other items. In otherembodiments, the housing 120 can be attached to or integrally formedwith a portion of the aircraft (e.g., the interior sidewalls of theaircraft). The housing 120, for example, can be incorporated into asidewall of the aircraft from which the airbag 228 can deploy.

In the illustrated embodiment, the housing 120 includes a cover or door234 positioned across the opening 226 that at least substantiallyconceals the cavity 224 from view before airbag deployment. In FIG. 2A,the door 234 is shown spaced apart from the opening 226 for clarity. Thedoor 234 can be attached to the housing 120 using one or more releasablefasteners that swing or otherwise enable the door 234 to move away fromthe opening 226 under the force of the inflating airbag, therebyallowing the airbag to deploy through the opening 226. The door 234, forexample, can be secured over the opening 226 with a plurality of screwsthat are configured to break under the force of airbag deployment. Inother embodiments, the door 234 can be configured to automatically moveaway from the opening 226 in response to a crash event rather thanrelying on the force of the airbag. The door 234, for example, caninclude electronics to automatically slide, pivot, and/or otherwise moveaway from the opening 226 in anticipation of airbag deployment.

In various embodiments, one or more lanyards 236 made from webbingmaterial used for seat belts and/or other suitable materials can beattached between the door 234 and the housing 120. The lanyards 236retain the door 234 to the housing 120 when the airbag projects throughthe opening 226 and prevent the door 234 from flying through theaircraft cabin. In certain embodiments, the lanyards 236 can beconfigured to enable the door 234 to rotate or otherwise move to an openposition that is substantially flush with the adjacent sidewall 238 ofthe housing 120 and out of the way of the seat occupant during egress.In other embodiments, hinges and/or other suitable movable couplingmechanisms can be used to retain the door 234 to the housing 120 duringand after airbag deployment.

The airbag assembly 228 can include various features that allow it to bepreassembled before mounting it in the housing 120. FIGS. 2B and 2C, forexample, are enlarged front and back isometric views, respectively, ofthe airbag assembly 228 configured in accordance with an embodiment ofthe disclosure, and FIG. 2D is front view of the airbag assembly 228during an intermediate assembly stage. As shown in FIGS. 2B and 2C, theairbag assembly 228 can include an airbag 254 folded or otherwise stowedwithin an airbag container or cover 256. The cover 256 can be made froma flexible material, such as a thin film material made from nylon orpolyamide, and can include one or more tear seams (not shown) that aredesigned to rupture upon airbag inflation. In other embodiments, atleast a portion of the cover 256 can be made from a semi-rigid and/orrigid material that ruptures and/or otherwise releases the airbag 254during inflation.

The airbag assembly 228 can be secured to the housing 120 (FIG. 2A) witha dual-plate mounting structure. The mounting structure can include aninternal mounting plate 258 (e.g., a U-shaped mounting plate as shown inFIG. 2D) positioned inside the airbag 254 and affixed to an externalmounting plate 260 (FIG. 2C) via a plurality of fasteners (e.g., screws262). This configuration enables the peripheral portions of the externalmounting plate 260 to be secured across the opening 226 of the housing120. This dual-plate mounting structure allows the airbag assembly 228to be preassembled before mounting to a suitable housing (e.g., thehousing 120 shown in FIG. 1). FIGS. 2B-2D illustrate a certainembodiment of such a dual plate mounting structure. As those skilled inthe art will understand, however, the dual-plate mounting structure aswell as other suitable mounting structures can have a variety ofdifferent configurations to accommodate the structural features to whichthey are attached.

In various embodiments of the airbag assembly 228, the airbag 254 caninclude an active vent (not shown) that opens when the pressure withinthe airbag 254 reaches a predetermined threshold. The vent, for example,can be a discrete seam on the airbag 254 that is sewn shut and tearsopen at a designated pressure (e.g., when the occupant contacts theairbag 228). This feature can be of particular use with two-pointrestraints that do not restrain forward movement of the occupant's upperbody because it limits the force with which the seat occupant impactsthe airbag and reduces the rebound of the occupant from the airbag 254.The vent can also allow the airbag 254 to deflate rapidly (e.g., withinseconds) after inflation so it does not impede occupant egress from theseat in an emergency situation.

Referring back to FIG. 2A, the airbag system 100 can further include anairbag inflator 230 (shown schematically) in fluid communication withthe airbag assembly 228, and an electronics module assembly 232 (shownschematically) operably coupled to the inflator 230. The inflator 230can include a container of compressed gas (e.g., air) and a pyrotechnicdevice (e.g., a squib connector) that can be activated by a signal sentby the electronics module assembly 232 in response to a crash event. Thesignal initiates the squib, which causes the container to release theexpanding gas into the airbag. In other embodiments, the inflator 230can include other suitable initiation and/or inflation devices (e.g.,gas-generating inflators) well known in the art.

In various embodiments, the inflator 230 can be spaced apart from theairbag assembly 228 and fluidly coupled thereto using a gas deliveryhose 240 and/or other suitable fluid passageway. The gas delivery hose240 can include a first end fitting 241 a in fluid communication withthe interior of the airbag and a second end fitting 241 b (e.g., aninflator connector as disclosed in U.S. Patent Application No.13/194,411, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety)threadably or otherwise engaged with an outlet of the inflator 230. Thegas delivery hose 240 can have suitable dimensions for rapid gasdelivery to the airbag depending at least in part on the distancebetween the inflator 230 and the airbag assembly 228. In certainembodiments, for example, the gas delivery hose 240 may have a deflatedwidth of 1.125 inches (28.58 mm) and an inflated outer diameter of 0.75inch (19.05 mm).

In some embodiments, the inflator 230 can be positioned outside thehousing 120 and/or spaced apart from the airbag assembly 228 in thecavity 224, and the gas delivery hose 240 can extend between the airbagassembly 228 and the inflator 230. The remotely positioned inflator 230,for example, can be mounted in any suitable orientation and secured to aportion of the aircraft (e.g., under the housing 120, under the floor ofthe aircraft proximate the housing 120, etc.) using brackets and/orother suitable mounting structures that can withstand loads encounteredduring normal aircraft operation, gas deployment from the inflator 230,and certain impact loads (e.g., loads applied under a 16g dynamic test).The gas delivery hose 240 can be made from a suitable flexible materialthat can accommodate the positioning of the inflator 230 relative to theairbag assembly 228 and yet be durable enough to withstand the deliveryof the expanding gas to the airbag and regular wear. The modularpositioning of the inflator 230 with respect to the airbag assembly 228provided by the gas delivery hose 240 allows the airbag system 100 toaccommodate the space constraints of the housing 120 and the vehicleitself. In further embodiments, the gas delivery hose 240 can beomitted, and the outlet of the inflator 230 can be positioned in directfluid communication with the airbag assembly 228.

In the illustrated embodiment, the electronics module assembly 232includes a processor 244 that receives electrical power from a powersource 246 (e.g., one or more lithium batteries), a deployment circuit252 that initiates the inflator 230, and at least one crash sensor 248that detects rapid decelerations and/or other crash events. The crashsensor 248, for example, can include a spring-mass-damper type sensorwith an inertial switch calibrated for the vehicle's operatingenvironments that initiates airbag deployment upon a predetermineddeceleration level. In other embodiments, the crash sensor 248 caninclude other suitable types of sensors known in the art. Optionally,the electronics module assembly 232 can also include one or moremagnetic field sensors 250 that detect the presence of an externalmagnetic field (e.g., from a speaker) and communicate with the processor244 to deactivate the crash sensor 248 and prevent inadvertentdeployment of the airbag assembly 228. The magnetic field sensor 250 caninclude, for example, the circuitry disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.6,535,115, entitled “AIR BAG HAVING EXCESSIVE EXTERNAL MAGNETIC FIELDPROTECTION CIRCUITRY,” which is herein incorporated by reference in itsentirety. In other embodiments, the electronics module assembly 232 caninclude other sensors and/or additional features to aid in airbagdeployment, and/or some of the components of the electronics moduleassembly 232 may be omitted. In certain embodiments, for example, theelectronics module assembly 232 can include only the power source 246and the crash sensor 248, which completes a circuit to activate theinflator 230 during a crash event. The components of the electronicsmodule assembly 232 can be housed in a protective cover (e.g., amachined or injection-molded plastic box) that can reduce the likelihoodof damaging the electronics module assembly 232 and a magnetic shieldthat can prevent the electronics module assembly 232 from inadvertentlydeploying the airbag assembly 228. In other embodiments, the electronicsmodule assembly 232 can be stored in the housing disclosed in U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 61/533,105, entitled “ELECTRONICSMODULE ASSEMBLY FOR INFLATABLE PERSONAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM AND ASSOCIATEDMETHODS,” which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety,and/or other suitable electronics housings known in the art. In furtherembodiments, the electronics module assembly 232 can include diagnostictesting features, such as those described in U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/174,659, entitled “INFLATABLE PERSONAL RESTRAINT SYSTEMS”and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/228,333, entitled “COMPUTERSYSTEM FOR REMOTE TESTING OF INFLATABLE PERSONAL RESTRAINT SYSTEMS,”which are herein incorporated by reference in their entireties.

Similar to the modular positioning of the inflator 230, the electronicsmodule assembly 232 can also be housed within the cavity 224 or in aremote location proximate the housing 120 and coupled to the inflator230 via suitable electrical connectors. The electronics module assembly232, for example, can be positioned on the underside of the housing 120,under a seat, or elsewhere in the aircraft. When mounted remotely, theelectronics module assembly 232 can be positioned to properly transmitthe crash pulse and reduce vibration effects.

During a crash event above a predetermined threshold, the crash sensor248 of the electronics module assembly 232 can close one or moreswitches, thereby causing the processor 244 to send a correspondingsignal to the deployment circuit 252. Upon receiving a signal from theprocessor 244, the deployment circuit 252 can apply a sufficient voltageto an igniter (e.g., a squib) that causes the inflator 230 to dischargeits compressed gas into the airbag 254 via the gas delivery hose 240.The expansion of the compressed gas inflates the airbag 254 (FIGS.2B-2D) and causes it to deploy through the opening 226 in the housing120. The door 234 moves away from the opening 226 (e.g., due to theforce applied by the inflating airbag 254), allowing the airbag 254 toexpand toward the occupant in the corresponding seat. The lanyards 236can retain the opened door 234 substantially flush to the housing 120such that it does not interfere with the occupant during subsequentegress. The airbag 254 can be offset from the seat so that it deploys ina direction that avoids direct contact with the seat occupant if theoccupant is in the brace position. The airbag 254 is also positionedforward enough from the seat and sized appropriately to avoid contactwith lap-held children or children in child seats. The active vent onthe airbag 254 can reduce the force on the occupant at impact with theairbag 254 (e.g., a head impact criterion under 1,000), reduce reboundof the occupant's head from the airbag 254, and can also allow theairbag 254 to deflate quickly after impact (e.g., within 10 seconds) tofurther facilitate egress from the seat. Additionally, the modularairbag system 100 (e.g., the self-contained airbag assembly 228,inflator 230 and the electronics module assembly 232) can accommodatethe space constraints of differing structural mounting locations and canbe independent of other aircraft systems (e.g., without needing to beinterfaced with the aircraft wiring).

FIGS. 3A-3E are a series of isometric views illustrating deployment of astructure mounted airbag system 300 configured in accordance with anembodiment of the disclosure. The structure mounted airbag system 300can include features generally similar in structure and function to thefeatures of the structure mounted airbag system 100 described above withreference to FIGS. 1-2D. The structure mounted airbag system 300 caninclude, for example, a structurally mounted airbag assembly (not shown)positioned in a housing 320 positioned in front of and offset from anaircraft seat 302. Referring to FIG. 3A, upon detection of a crash event(e.g., by a crash sensor operably coupled to the airbag assembly in thehousing 320), an airbag 354 inflates and through an opening 326 in thehousing 320 toward a seat occupant 301, thereby moving a door 334 awayfrom the opening 326. One or more hinges 336, lanyards, and/or othersuitable features can be secured to the lower portion of the door 334 toretain the door 334 to the housing 320 and prevent it from launchingtoward the seat occupant 301.

Referring to FIG. 3B, the inflation of the airbag 354 can rotate thedoor 334 downward against the housing 320, and thereby move it out ofthe way of the seat occupant 301 to facilitate subsequent egress (e.g.,after a crash). In the illustrated embodiment, the airbag 354 includes afirst portion 364 extending in a generally vertical direction adjacentto the housing 320 and having a substantially tubular shape, and asecond portion 366 that extends generally laterally with respect to thefirst portion 364 toward the seat occupant 301 giving the airbag 354 agenerally L-shaped cross-section. The second portion 366 can have agenerally triangular cross-sectional shape that impedes the forwardacceleration of the seat occupant's upper torso before the airbag 354makes contact with the seat occupant's head, and therefore decreases theforce with which the seat occupant's head strikes the airbag 354. Infurther embodiments, the airbag 354 can have other suitableconfigurations to accommodate the seat configuration, such as theairbags described below with references to FIGS. 4A-4C.

The airbag 354 can include an active vent 368 that remains closed untilthe internal pressure of the airbag 354 reaches a predeterminedthreshold, such as when the seat occupant's head impacts the airbag 354and/or when the airbag 354 is fully inflated. In the illustratedembodiment, the vent 368 is an elongated seam at the underside of thesecond portion 366 of the airbag 354 that tears or otherwise ruptures atthe threshold pressure to release the gas (e.g., air) from within theairbag 354. In other embodiments, the vent 368 can be positionedelsewhere on the airbag 354 and/or have other suitable configurations(e.g., a valve or plug), or it can be omitted.

FIG. 3C is a top view of the seating arrangement of FIG. 3B illustratingthat the structure mounted airbag system 300 provides a first area orzone 370 and a second area or zone 372 spaced apart from the inflatedairbag 354. The first zone 370 is located at the seat 302 to providesufficient space between the inflated airbag 354 and the seat 302 toprevent direct airbag deployment directly into a child (not shown)sitting in the seat 302, in the lap of the seat occupant 301, and/or ina child seat secured to the seat 302. The second zone 372 is spaced infront of the seat 302 to avoid airbag deployment directly into the seatoccupant's head when he or she is in a brace position. As the foregoingillustrates, the structure mounted airbag system 300 can accommodate awide range of occupant sizes and positions.

FIG. 3D illustrates the structure mounted airbag system 300 after theseat occupant 301 impacts the airbag 354. The load experienced by theoccupant's upper body is distributed across the expanded airbag 354 tomitigate injury. In various embodiments, the impact of the seat occupant301 against the airbag 354 can activate the vent 368 (FIG. 3B) torapidly decrease the pressure within the airbag 354 and further reducethe impact experienced by the seat occupant 301. As shown in FIG. 3E,the vent 368 can also serve to quickly deflate the airbag 354 to providea substantially clear passageway for the seat occupant 301 to move awayfrom the seat 302.

FIGS. 4A-4C are a series of views illustrating various airbags 454 a-cfor use with structure mounted airbag assemblies configured inaccordance with embodiments of the disclosure. In FIG. 4A, airbag 454 acan include a lateral portion 474 that projects from the main bodyportion of the airbag 454 a. The airbag 454 a, therefore, has a complexshape that at least generally conforms to the complex shape of thestructure or monument forward of the seat occupant 401 to provide asuitable barrier there between. Similar to the airbags described above,the airbag 454 a shown in FIG. 4A is configured to avoid contact withseat occupants that are in the brace position and out-of-positionoccupants (e.g., lap-held children). In other embodiments, the airbag454 a can have other suitable complex shapes that conform to the shapeof monuments positioned forward of an aircraft seat.

As shown in FIG. 4B, in further embodiments, the airbag 454 b can bemounted to a structure (e.g., a dividing wall) substantially or directlyin front of the seat occupant 401. In the illustrated embodiment, theairbag 454 b has a generally hemispherical cross-sectional shape, but inother embodiments the airbag 454 b may have a generally triangularcross-sectional shape to absorb upper body impact before the seatoccupant's head hits the airbag and/or other suitable airbag shapes.

In still further embodiments, the airbag 454 c can be mounted to apermanent or semi-permanent structure proximate to the seat and in linewith the vehicle direction. As shown in FIG. 4C, for example the airbag454 c can be positioned to the side of the aircraft seat (e.g., on adivider wall between aircraft seats) and generally in line with theaircraft direction (i.e., as indicated by arrow 476). In additionalembodiments, the structure mounted airbag systems and assembliesdisclosed herein can be mounted to other suitable structures and/or haveother suitable configurations.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that specific embodimentshave been described herein for purposes of illustration, but thatmodifications may be made without deviating from the spirit and scope ofthe various embodiments of the disclosure. The airbag system 100illustrated in FIGS. 1-2D can include, for example, additional airbagsassemblies 228 and/or inflators 230 operably coupled to the electronicsmodule assembly 232 for use with the additional vehicle seats (e.g.,within the same row as the seat 102). In various other embodiments, thehousing 120 may be omitted and the airbag assembly 228 can be mounteddirectly to a portion of the aircraft (e.g., within the wall of theaircraft). Specific elements of any of the foregoing embodiments canalso be combined or substituted for elements in other embodiments.Moreover, the restraint system described above can be incorporated innon-automobile or non-aircraft systems. Certain aspects of thedisclosure are accordingly not limited to automobile or aircraftsystems. Furthermore, while advantages associated with certainembodiments of the disclosure have been described in the context ofthese embodiments, other embodiments may also exhibit such advantages,and not all embodiments need necessarily exhibit such advantages to fallwithin the scope of the technology. Accordingly, the disclosure is notlimited except as by the appended claims.

1. An airbag system for use with an aircraft seat, the airbag systemcomprising: a housing having a cavity and an opening in communicationwith the cavity, wherein the housing is mounted forward of and offset toone side of the aircraft seat; an airbag assembly positioned within thecavity, the airbag assembly having an airbag configured to deploythrough the opening toward the aircraft seat to protect an occupant inthe aircraft seat during a crash event; an inflator operably coupled tothe airbag; and a door removably covering the opening, the door beingconfigured to move away from the opening during airbag deployment. 2.The airbag system of claim 1, further comprising at least one lanyardfixedly attached between the door and the housing, wherein the lanyardis configured to retain the door to the housing during airbagdeployment.
 3. The airbag system of claim 1 wherein the airbag has aninternal threshold pressure, and wherein the airbag includes an activevent configured to open at the internal threshold pressure.
 4. Theairbag system of claim 1 wherein the airbag includes a first portion anda second portion, the first portion extending in a generally verticaldirection from the housing when the airbag is inflated, and the secondportion extending from the first portion in a generally lateraldirection with respect to the first portion when the airbag is inflated.5. The airbag system of claim 1 wherein: the inflator is spaced apartfrom the airbag and positioned outside of the cavity; and the airbagsystem further comprises a gas delivery hose extending from the inflatorthrough the housing and to the airbag, the gas delivery hose beingconfigured to provide a fluid passageway from the inflator to theairbag.
 6. The airbag system of claim 5 wherein the inflator ispositioned under the housing.
 7. The airbag system of claim 1 whereinthe seat is attached to a floor of a commercial passenger adjacent to anaisle of the commercial passenger aircraft, and wherein the housing isattached to the floor of the commercial passenger aircraft proximate theaisle.
 8. The airbag system of claim 1 wherein the airbag systemincludes a first zone positioned around the vehicle seat and a secondzone positioned a distance in front of the vehicle seat, and wherein theairbag does not enter the first and second zone upon inflation.
 9. Theaircraft system of claim 1 wherein the airbag assembly comprises meansfor mounting the airbag assembly to the housing.
 10. The aircraft systemof claim 1 wherein the airbag assembly includes a mounting plate withinthe airbag and configured to attach the airbag assembly to the housing.11. The aircraft system of claim 10 wherein the mounting plate is aninterior mounting plate, and wherein the airbag assembly furtherincludes an exterior mounting plate attached to the interior mountingplate and configured to attach the airbag assembly across the opening ofthe housing.
 12. An airbag system for a seat in an aircraft, the airbagsystem comprising: an airbag assembly having an airbag and a mountingstructure, wherein the mounting structure is configured to attach to anon-movable portion of the aircraft spaced forward of and laterallyoffset from the seat, and wherein the airbag is configured to deploy atan angle relative to the seat to protect an occupant seated in the seat;an electronics module assembly having a crash sensor operably coupled tothe inflator to initiate airbag deployment.
 13. The airbag system ofclaim 12, further comprising a housing having a plurality of sidewallsthat form a cavity, at least one of the sidewalls having an opening,wherein the airbag assembly is in the cavity and generally aligned withthe opening.
 14. The airbag system of claim 13, further comprising adoor attached across the opening via a plurality of fasteners, whereinthe fasteners are configured to release the door under the force ofairbag inflation to allow the door to move away from the opening. 15.The airbag system claim 14, further comprising a moveable couplingbetween the door and the housing, wherein the coupling is configured toretain the door to the housing during and after airbag deployment. 16.The airbag system of claim 12 wherein the airbag includes a ventconfigured to at least partially open when a pressure within the airbagreaches a threshold pressure.
 17. The airbag system of claim 12 whereinthe airbag includes a first portion and a second portion, wherein thefirst portion extends in a generally vertical direction with respect tothe seat when the airbag is inflated, and wherein the second portionextends in a generally lateral direction with respect to the firstportion when the airbag is inflated, the second portion having agenerally triangular cross-sectional shape.
 18. The airbag system ofclaim 12 wherein the mounting structure comprises: an internal mountingplate positioned within the airbag; and an external mounting platepositioned outside of the airbag and attached to the internal mountingplate, wherein a peripheral portion of the external mounting plate isconfigured to fixedly attach to the non-movable portion of the aircraftwithin the aircraft.
 19. The airbag system of claim 12 wherein theinflator is spaced apart from the airbag, and wherein the airbag systemfurther comprises a gas delivery hose fluidly connecting the inflator tothe airbag.
 20. The airbag system of claim 12, further comprising: theairbag includes a vent configured to open when a pressure of the airbagreaches a threshold pressure; the mounting structure includes aninternal mounting plate within the airbag and an external mounting plateoutside of the airbag and attached to the internal mounting plate; theairbag assembly further comprises a housing having a cavity and anopening, the airbag assembly being in the cavity generally aligned withthe opening and mounted to a portion of the housing using the externalmounting plate, the housing being configured to fixedly attach to aninterior portion of the aircraft forward of and offset from the seat; adoor covering the opening, wherein the door is configured to move awayfrom the opening during airbag deployment to release the airbag from thecavity; and at least one lanyard releasably connecting the door to thehousing during airbag deployment, wherein the at least one lanyard isconfigured to open the door to a position substantially flush with thehousing during airbag inflation.
 21. The airbag system of claim 20wherein the inflator is outside of the cavity proximate the housing, andwherein the airbag system further comprises a gas delivery hose fluidlycoupling the inflator to the airbag.
 22. An airbag assembly for use witha seat mounted to a floor of an aircraft, the airbag assemblycomprising: an airbag; a cover over the airbag, wherein the cover isconfigured to release the airbag upon airbag inflation; an inflatoroperably coupled to the airbag via a gas delivery hose; a housingmounted to the floor of the aircraft forward of and laterally offsetfrom the seat, wherein the airbag is configured to project toward theseat at an angle relative to the seat to protect an occupant seated inthe seat; and means for mounting the airbag in the cover to the housing.23. A method of deploying an airbag toward a seat in a an aircraft, themethod comprising: detecting a crash event of the aircraft; inflatingthe airbag in response to the detected crash event, the airbag beingstored within a portion o f a housing and generally aligned with anopening in the housing, wherein the portion of the housing in which theairbag is stored is forward of and laterally offset from the aircraftseat, and wherein, upon inflation, the airbag projects toward the seatat an angle relative to the aircraft seat; and releasing the airbag fromthe housing via the opening.
 24. The method of claim 23 whereinreleasing the airbag from the housing via the opening comprises moving adoor away from the opening by the force of the inflating airbag.
 25. Themethod of claim 23 wherein the vehicle is an aircraft, and whereinreleasing the airbag from the housing via the opening comprisesreleasing the airbag from a position forward of and offset from theaircraft seat.
 26. (canceled)
 27. The method of claim 23 whereininflating the airbag comprises: inflating a first portion of the airbagin a generally vertical direction from the housing; and inflating asecond portion of the airbag in a generally lateral direction toward theoccupant, wherein the second portion extends from the first portion andhas a generally triangular cross-sectional shape.
 28. The method ofclaim 23 wherein releasing the airbag from the housing via the openingcomprises: projecting the airbag toward the aircraft seat, the aircraftseat having a two-point restraint; and releasing gas from the airbagwhen an internal pressure within the airbag is above a predeterminedthreshold.
 29. The method of claim 23 wherein inflating the airbagcomprises inflating the airbag via a gas delivery hose connected betweenan inflator and the airbag, wherein the inflator is spaced apart fromthe airbag.